Friday, 5 January 2018

Pontifical Marthoma Shrine is at Azhikode,
Kodungallur in Thrissur District of Kerala. It is built in memory of the
arrival of St. Thomas where his relics are kept. This is built in the model of
St. Peters of Vatican. It was also in the nearby area, one of the seven and
half churches was established by St. Thomas.

St. Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus,
landed in India in 52 A.D., i.e., well before St. Peter reached Rome in 72 A.D
with the message of Christ. At that time, it was also one of the main ports in
the Malabar Coast known as Muziris.But unfortunately, this port was extinct in
1341 A.D. due to a Tsunami like flood realigned the area. The main reason why
he selected this area was that, there were many Jews settled in this area being
a commercial center in those days. Therefore, the Christians of Malabar coast
is known as St. Thomas Christians to distinguish it from other Christians who
were converted after the European Missionaries like St. Xavier, etc. came to
India, after the arrival of Vasco da Gama of Portugal landed at Kozhikode
(Calicut) at the same Malabar coast in 1498 A.D. St. Thomas Christians are also
known as Syrian Christians/Syro Malabar Christians etc., who used Syrian
language in Holy Mass in olden days and followed local customs in wedding and
other ceremonies as distinguished from the Latin/Anglo Christians who used
Latin/English language in Holy Mass and followed European customs in wedding
and other ceremonies. Till the arrival of Europeans, St. Thomas Christians of
Malabar Coast had also no idea about the existence of the Pope and they were a
totally independent Church then, though there was some influence from the
Church of Syria due to the commercial connection with gulf countries in those
days.

The surrounding area of the Shrine is blessed
with natural beauty.South side is River and the west side is
Arabian Sea. It is a joining place of rivers like Chalakudy river, Periyar,
etc., with the sea. Munakkal beach is also about 1 kilometer away. One of the
spectacular scene of Azhikode river side is the use of Chinese fishing net to
catch fish. This Chinese fishing net locally known as Cheena vala, was first
introduced in the area including the nearby Kochi (Cochin) backwaters were
Portuguese.

How to reach:

Air :Nearest international
airport is Cochin International Airport Nedumbassery about km

Rail:
Nearest railway station is Irinjalakuda , but Thrissur railway station is more
convenient to reach the place.

Road :The
Shrine is situated very close to the National Highway NH17.

I. Watch the youtube clip below for shrine :

II. Watch the youtube video below to know China net and how it is used :